Signal-switch.



B. MILLER.

SIGNAL SWITCH.

APPLICATION man OCT. 21. 1914.

1 1 595%, Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

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SIGNAL SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-27,19l4.

1,159,521 Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

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BRINTON MILLER, OF GERMAN VALLEY, ILLINOIS.

SIGNAL-SWITCH.

Application filed October 27, 1914. Serial No. 888,892.

To all whOm it may concern.

Be it known that I, BRINTON MILLER, a citizen of the United States,residing at German Valley, in the county of Stephenson and State ofIllinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Signal- Switches,of which the following is a speci:

' irrespective of the long period of idleness,

such as is experienced on branch lines.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a signal systemwherein the circuit is closed through a switch that is operated by areciprocating bar that receives its motion from the railway switchsignal post.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a signalsystem wherein the pressure between the contacts of the circuit closercan be increased to insure a perfect electrical contact.

The invention in the preferred form in detail will be described in thefollowing speification, reference being had particularly to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a.

track-way showing the position of my improved system with. relation tothe switch points of a branch line. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of thecircuit closer showing the casing in section. Fig. 3 is a section online 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail view of one contact. Fig. 5 is avertical section on line 55 of Fig. Fig. 6 is a section through the baseof a semaphore showing the actuating mechanism therefor. Fig. is a viewsimilar to Fig. 2 showing the circuit closer in closed'position;

Referring to the drawings, and more'particularly t0 the diagrammaticview Fig. 1 the numeral 1 designates the rails of a main line. while thenumeral 2 designates the switch points of a side line. Positioned besidethe main line 1 and adjacent one of the switch points 2 1s a switchdwarf signal I 3 that is controlled by the switch point Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

through a link 1. Rigidly fastened to the vertical post 5 of the dwarfsignal 3 is a crank 6 having a. pin and slot connection 7 with ahorizontally disposed bar 8 composed of insulating material. Embedded inopposite sides of the bar 8 are contact strips 9 and 10 to which areconnected terminals of a circuit 11. Disposed on opposite sides of thebar 8 are pivotally mounted contacts 12 constructed so as to have arearwardly extending tapering curved portion 13.. The forward end ofeach of the contacts is provided with a recess 14 and an apertured lug15 adapted to have pivot'ally connected thereto lugs 16 carried 'by thehead 17. In-

terposed between the head 17 which forms a portion of the contact 12 andthe body of the contact, is a coil spring 18, the tension of which isutilized for forcing the head of each contact toward the other so as tocontact with the opposite sides of the bar 8. The free end of the bar 8is beveled as shown at 18 so that when the bar is moved forwardly, thetapering portion of the contacts are thrown outwardly, thus bringing theopposite ends of the contact into closer engagement with the sides ofthe bar, this action being yieldably taken up by the coil springs 18until the shoulders 19 of the heads come into contact with the shoulders20 of the body of the contacts. The circuit 11 has in series therewith amotor 21 having upon its armature shaft a worm 22 adapted to engage theworm wheel 23 rigidly mounted upon a shaft 24 which passes transverselythrough the base of the semaphore 25. Positioned on the shaft '24 inspaced relation with the worm wheel 23, is a crank disk 26 havingpivotally connected thereto the vertical rod 27 which operates thesemaphore blade 28 when the motor is operated through the closing of thecircuit closer.

The operation is as follows: When the switch point is thrown so that atrain can take the siding, a rotary motion is given to the verticalshaft 5, this rotary motion being converted into a reciprocatory motionthrough the crank 6 and rod 8. The rod 8 in sliding forwardly forces thetail ends of the pivoted contacts outwardly for bringing the pivotedcontact, and through its support to the opposite pivoted contact andthen out by way of the contact strip 10 so as to energize the motor 21which throws the semaphore to a danger position.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, the advantages of theconstruction and of the method ofoperationwill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to whichthe invention relates, and while I have described the principle ofoperation of the invention, together with the device which I nowconsider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have itunderstood that the device shown is merely illustrative and that suchchanges may be made when desired said contacts being formed to have ahinged head portion and a rearwardly curved tapering tail portion, a barof insulating material slidably mounted between the heads of thecontacts and having a wedging action with the tail portions thereof,electrical contact strips embedded in said bar, and means forreciprocating said bar.

2. A circuit closer comprising a casing, a pair of contacts pivotallymounted therein and electrically connected together, each of saidcontacts being formed to have a hinged head portion and a rearwardlycurved tapering tail portion, a bar of insulation slidable between thehead portions of said contacts and having a wedging action with the tailportions thereof whereby the friction between the head portions and thebar may be increased, a spring interposed between said head and tailportion, electrical contact strips embedded in said bar, and means forreciprocating said bar.

In testimony whereof I, afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BRINTON MILLER.

Witnesses:

W. S GRAHAM, E1). E. GARMAN.

